Vertical shredders



Nov. 25, 1969 J, s L'roN, JR 3,480,213

VERTICAL SHREDDERS .5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1965 INVENTOR HARRYJ. SHELTONJR FIG.3.

A T TQRMEY Nov. 25, 1969 H. J. SHELTON, JR

VERTICAL SHREDDERS .5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1965 mvmron HARRY J.SHELYON, JR. W

A7'TORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 H J. SHELTON, JR 3,480,213

VERTICAL SHREDDERS Filed July 12, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HARRYJ. $HELTON,JR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 H. J. SHELTON, JR

VERTICAL SHREDDERS .5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 12, 1965 mvENroR HARM a.sHELTomR.

ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 H. J. SHELTON, JR 3,430,213

VERTICAL SHREDDERS Filed July 12, 1965 -.5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR HARRYJ. SHELTON, JR. BY

AT TQRNEY United States Patent 3,480,213 VERTICAL SHREDDERS Harry J.Shelton, Jr., Latlue, Mo., assignor to Gruentller Crusher & PulverizerCo., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed July 12, 1965, Ser.No. 471,480 Int. Cl. B02c 17/02, 1/08; B07b 13/00 US. Cl. 241-92 15Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shredder having a verticalcylindrical housing in which a disk-like rotor is journaled. Upwardlyprojecting cutters are on the disk for shredding refuse as it falls ontothe upper surface of the disk. Sweeper blades depend from the rotor diskfor sweeping shredded refuse out an outlet formed in the housing.Vertically extending baffies are aflixed to the interior surface of thehousing above the rotor disk to impede rotation of the mass of refusewith the disk. A dispersion cone projects upwardly from the center ofthe rotor disk for directing refuse outwardly on the disk, and notchesare formed along the outer periphery of the disk so that the shreddedrefuse will fall into the path of the sweeper blades. Alternativeembodiments include fingers projecting inwardly below the disk forfurther shredding the refuse and a laminated rotor disk which permitsaltering the size of the notches along the periphery of the disk.

This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvementsin shredders and, more particularly, to vertical refuse shredders.

The manufacturing processes of many large industrial firms ultimatelyresult in a considerable amount of refuse which must be disposed of inone way or another. Many firms have found it desirable and economical toreduce their refuse into shredded bits, The reduced refuse is oftencompressed into conveniently sized bales which are bound and transportedaway from the plant to a disposal area. The firm thereby reduces thebulk or size of its refuse, and achieves a considerable cost saving inthe removal thereof.

Heretofore, shredders for reducing refuse have generally comprised ahousing provided with an inlet opening and having a horizontal rotoroperatively journaled in communication with the inlet. The rotor, ofcourse, is provided on its periphery with a plurality of shredder kniveswhich pass within close proximity to a plurality of bars whereby, ineffect, to shred the refuse between the bars and knives. Existing typesof refuse shredders, however, do not operate well under overloadconditions, and a large load will usually cause the machine to stall orjam. These limitations also require the presence of an attendant whomust continuously control the quantity of input being fed into theshredder at any particular time. Immediately after a load of refuse isplaced in such a machine the knives tear into it with great forcerequiring the sudden expenditure of a large amount of energy or power.As the refuse passes through the machine the power consumption tapersoff until the load is completely reduced whereupon the power consumed isnominal. The same sequence ensues with each incremental charge of refusedumped into the machine. Thus, it is readily apparent that the shredderalternates momentarily between periods of high power consumption andlower power consumption, and must be constructed for the maximums which,of course, increases the cost of the electrical components and subjectsthe mechanical elements of the machine to undue stresses. Moreover,these fluctuations limit the capacity of the machine. Finally, thesemachines often ice jam when relatively large or dense materials such astwoby-fours or rolls of asphalt roofing are inserted therein. Similarly,steel strapping and wire and polyethylene sheets often become entangledin the rotor, thereby clogging it and rendering its knives ineffective.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to providea shredder which is capable of accepting a great variety of materials.

-It is an additional object of the present invention to provide ashredder of the type stated which accepts large loads of refuse andrequires little, if any, attention by an operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shredder ofthe type stated which draws a relatively constant amount of power whenreducing a load of refuse.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shredder ofthe type stated which is highly eflicient by reason of the fact that theload is relatively large in proportion to power consumption.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide ashredder of the type stated which is rugged and simple in constructionand economical to manufacture.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in thenovel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (5 sheets)- FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa shredder constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a shredder constructed in accordance with andembodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a shredder;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of shredder;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of another modified shredder;and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are sectional views taken along lines 11-11 and 12-12 ofFIG. 10.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawingswhich illustrate practical embodiments of the present invention, Adesignates a vertical shredder including a base frame 1 having twospaced parallel I beams 2, 3 which are transversely connected at theirends by cross-channels 4, 5, the latter being perpendicularly welded attheir ends to the central webs of the former. The outwardly projectinglower flanges of the beams 2, 3 are provided with a plurality ofapertures 6 which accept bolts or other conventional clamping devicesfor rigidly securing the shredder A to the floor of a building or othersuitable supporting structure.

Bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the upper flanges of the beams 2,3 in spaced parallel relation are support channels 7, 8 which aretransversely connected by spaced parallel cross channels 9, 10, thelatter being welded to the inwardly presented vertical faces of theformer, so as to form a square aperture 11, as best seen in FIG. 7.Centrally welded to the outwardly presented vertical faces of thechannels 7, 8 are vertical gusset plates 12 having upper margins whichare coplanar with the upwardly presented flange-like faces of thechannels 7, 8.

Mounted on and supported by the channels 7, 8 is a shredder housing 13including an annular base plate 14 which rests upon and is welded orbolted to the channels 7, 8, 9, and gusset plates 12. Welded within thecentral aperture of the annular base plate 14 and projecting beyond theupper and lower faces thereof is a sleeve 15 which fits snugly withinthe aperture 11 formed by the channels 7, 8, 9, 10. Welded to theinternal cylindrical faces of the sleeve 15 in spaced parallel relationto one another are annular disks 16, 17 having centrally disposedaxially aligned circular apertures 18, 19, respectively. Welded to theinwardly presented and opposec" faces of disks 16, 17 in connectingrelationship is a spacer sleeve 20 having an internal bore substantiallyidentical to that of apertures 18, 19. Secured to the upper face of thedisk 16 by bolts is a thrust bearing 23, and similarly fastened to thelower face of disk 17 is a conventional roller bearing 24. Since thebearings 23, 24 are conventional in design and manufacture they are notillustrated or described herein in further detail.

Welded to the upper face of base plate 14 in inwardly spaced relation tothe outer peripheral margin thereof and extending partially therearoundis a substantially cylindrical side wall 25, having opposed verticalmargins 26, 27 which, in effect, form the side margins of a dischargeaperture 28. Welded to the upper margin of cylindrical side wall andprojecting horizontally outwardly therefrom so as to be diametricallyequivalent to the base plate 14 is a continuous annular flange 29 whichis provided with a plurality of apertures 30. Rigidly welded between theflange 29 and the outwardly projecting portion of plate 14 and to theouter cylindrical face of the side wall 25 are a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced ribs 30' which lend rigidity to the structure.For convenience of reference, the inner cylindrical faces of the sleeve15 and the side wall 25, and the base plate 14 define a lower annulardischarge chamber 31.

Projecting horizontally outwardly from the aperture 28 is a dischargeduct 32 for purposes presently more fully appearing. Duct 32 includesspaced parallel side walls 33, 34 which are transversely connected bytop and bottom walls 35, 36, whereby to form a conduit having arectilinear cross-section. Side wall 33 is welded to the vertical margin26 of cylindrical wall 25 and projects horizontally therefrom tangentialto the cylindrical surface thereof. The side wall 34 is welded to thevertical margin 27 of wall 25 and projects outwardly therefrom paralielto the wall 33. Additionally, the wall 34 projects inwardly into thechamber 31 in the provision of a vane 37 which terminates in a verticaledge presented in outwardly spaced relation to the sleeve 15. The lowermargin of the vane 37 is cut away so as to provide clearance between thevane 37 and plate 14, all for purposes presently more fully appearing.The outwardly presented end margins of the walls 33, 34, 35, 36 aremutually provided with a continuous flange 38 having a plurality ofapertures 39 for accepting bolts or other conventional fastening deviceswhereby the discharge duct 32 can be connected to an exhaust pipe (notshown) or other conduit for conveying the shredded refuse away from themachine. As shown, the flange 38 is rectangular, but it should beunderstood that this flange may be of any shape necessary to fit theshape of the discharge duct 32.

Rigidly fastened to the flange 29 and also forming part of shredderhousing 13 is a cylindrical upper housing 40 having upper and lowerannular outwardly projecting horizontal flanges 41, 42. Extendingbetween the upper and lower flanges 41, 42, respectively, and weldedthereto and to the external cylindrical face of the upper housing 40,are a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs 43. The upper housing40 is secured to the flange 29 by a plurality of bolts 44 which extendthrough the flanges 29, 42. The cylindrical internal face of the upperhousing 40 is diametrally equal to the inner face of the cylindricalside wall 25 and is provided with a plurality of vertically extendingreinforced angles or baflles 45 which are held securely thereto by aplurality of bolts 46. The cylindrical wall of housing 40 is cut away inclose proximity to the lower flange 42 in the provision of a rectilinearopening 47 which is covered by a removable cover plate 48, the latterbeing bolted to the outer face of the housing 40.

Mounted on and supported by the housing 40 is a cylindrical inlet stack49 having a lower annular flange 50 which abuts against and is fastenedto the flange 41 by bolts 51. It should be noted that the inlet stack 49can be of any convenient design such as conical, or a round to squaretransition, a cylindrical stack 49 being described only for convenienceof illustration.

Internally, the shredder housing 13 is provided with a rotor assembly 52including a rotor shaft 53 which is journaled within the bearings 23, 24and is milled or otherwise grooved at its upper and lower ends in theprovision of keyways 54, 55, respectively.

Rigidly welded or otherwise fastened to the upper end of the shaft 53 isa circular support plate 56, the outer peripheral margin of whichrotates in close proximity to the inner face of the sleeve 15. Welded tothe underface of the support plate 56 is a downwardly extendingcylindrical hub 57 which bears against and rotates on the thrust bearing23. Support plate 56 and hub 57 are centrally bored to fit over theupper end of shaft 53 and are further grooved in the provisions of akeyway 58. Fitted within the keyways 54, 58 for purposes of locking thesupport plate 56 to the shaft 53 is a key 59. Near its outer periphery,the support plate 56 is provided with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced threaded apertures 60.

Fastened in face-wise abutment to the upper face of the support plate 56by bolts 61 which fit within and engage the threads of apertures 60 is arotor disk 62 which is centrally relieved in the provision of a circularrecess 63, the base of which is provided with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced threaded apertures 64. Operatively mounted inthe recess 63 is a dispersion cone 65 including a circular base plate 66which is bolted to the rotor disk 62 by a plurality of bolts 67, thebolts 67 being adapted to fit within and engage the threads of apertures64. Welded to the upper face of plate 66, which is flush with the uppersurface of rotor disk 62, is a diametrally extending member 68 shaped inthe form of an isosceles triangle and having its apex above the centerof plate 66. Further welded to the plate 66 and additionally to the sidefaces of the member 68 are radially extending triangular members 69,each of which is shaped in the form of a right triangle so as to provideadditional ribs for the dispersion cone 65. The outer periphery of therotor disk 62 rotates in close proximity to the inner cylindrical wallsof the upper housing 40, and is relieved in the provision of a pluralityof inwardly extending discharge slots 70.

Welded to the upper surface of the rotor disk 62 along equally spacedradii in outwardly spaced relation to the dispersion cone 65 are aplurality of upwardly projecting breaker tabs 71. Bolted to the upperface of rotor disk 62 along radii interposed between the tabs 71 in aseries of rows are a plurality of cutters 72 which can easily be removedand replaced in the event of wear or damage thereto. Cutters 72 areprovided with forwardly pro jecting cutter edges 72, reference beingmade to the direc tion of rotation indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5. Aswill be seen by reference to FIG. 6 the outermost of the cutters 72 passbeneath and within close proximity to the bottom margins of the baflles45.

Welded to the underface of the rotor disk 62 and depending therefrom inoutwardly spaced relation to the sleeve 15 are arms 73 and welded orotherwise rigidly fastened to each of the arms 73 for rotation withinthe discharge chamber 31 is a sweeper blade 74.

It should be noted at this juncture that the inwardly projecting vane 37fits between the upper margins of the,

sweeper blades 74 and the underface of the rotor disk 62 whereby not toobstruct the rotation thereof. The sweeper blades 74 in effect operateas a centrifugal blower as will presently be described in greaterdetail.

At its downwardly presented end the rotor shaft 53 is fitted with amultigroove pulley 75 which is internally provided with a keyway 76, thepulley 75 being locked to the shaft 53 by a key 77 which engages thekeyways 55, 76.

Additionally welded to the central webs of I beams 2, 3 are horizontalangles 78, 79, respectively, having inwardly projecting flanges whichsupport a horizontal cross-plate 80, the cross-plate 80 being centrallyprovided with an aperture 81. Bolted to the upper face of the crossplate80 and supported thereon is a conventional vertical type electric motor82 having a power shaft 83 which fits through the aperature 81.Conventionally secured to the power shaft 83 is a multigroove pulley 84which aligns with the pulley 75. Trained around the pulleys 75, 84 are aplurality of V-belts 85. Motor 82, of course, transmits power throughthe V-belts 85 to the shaft 53 and the rotor disk 62, which is rigidlyaflixed thereto, thereby rotating the same.

In operation, the material to be shredded is dumped into the inlet stack49 and falls on the revolving upper surface of the rotor disk 62. Thatmaterial which falls onto the center of the disk 62 is engaged by thetriangular ribs of the dispersion cone 65 and rotation is impartedthereto whereby to cause the material to move outwardly by virtue ofcentrifugal force. Some of the material upon initial impact with therotor disk 62 is caught by the tabs 71 and cutters 72 and immediatelyshredded into fine pieces. The more durable pieces of refuse moveoutwardly on the disk 62 where they are shredded between the baflles 45and the cutters 72. The shredded material, owing to the rotation andresultant centrifugal force imparted thereto, finds its way to the outerperipheral margin of the disk 62 where it falls downwardly beyond themargin and through the discharge slots 70 into the annular dischargechamber 31. It should be noted at this point that the draft created bythe sweeper blades 74 aids in drawing the shredded material past therotor disk and into the chamber 31. Upon entering the chamber 31 thematerial is picked up by the sweeper blades 74 and whirled around thechamber 31 until it finds its way out through the discharge duct 32. Ofcourse, much of the shredded refuse is entrained within the airstream.The vane 37 aids in directing that refuse material entrained in theairstream toward the discharge duct 32.

It should be noted that no suction device is required to remove theshredded refuse from the shredder A for the rapidly revolving blades 74direct the shredded refuse out through the duct 32 and keep the lowerdischarge chamber 31 free from refuse that might otherwise accumulatetherein. However, it is possible to construct shredders A without thesweeper blades 74, in which case it would be desirable to use a suctionsystem to withdraw the shredded refuse from the chamber 31.

Vertical shredder A is adapted to accept a large amount of refusematerial at one dumping, the capacity of the machine being only limitedby the volume enclosed within the upper housing 40 and the inlet stack49. The tabs 71 and cutters 72 of the rotor disk 62, in effect, work onand shred only that refuse in contact therewith. When such refuse isshredded it passes between the tabs 71 and cutters 72, and downwardlypast the peripheral margin of the disk 62 and through the slots 70,thereby allowing space for more refuse to fall onto the rotor disk 62and into engagement with the tabs 71 and cutters 72, the operation beingcontinuous in nature.

In practice it has been found particularly desirable to mount shredder Aon one floor of a building, preferably the ground floor or basement, andextend a cylindrical inlet stack 49 upwardly to the floor above. Such aconstruction allows one to dump the refuse into shredder A at floorlevel thereby avoiding the necessity of lifting such refuse to the topof the machine to gain access to the inlet thereof. Of course, whencylindrical inlet stack 49 is extended upwardly to the floor above, itmay be desirable, as a safety precaution, to provide some sort ofclosure for the inlet. Since the sweeper blades 74, in effect, act as afan and necessarily draw air through the upper housing 40, it is in someinstallations necessary to provide some other source of air. Referringnow to FIG. 1, this can be done by placing elongated air-inlet slots 86in the cylindrical wall of the upper housing 40 behind the baffles 45,that is to say, the side of baffles 45 opposite the direction ofrotation indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5. The slots will permit air toenter the housing while the baflies 45 in front of them will prevent thematerial awaiting shredding from being pushed out of the housing throughthe slots 86. Moreover, such a construction does not adversely affectthe heating or air-conditioning balance for the building for no air isdrawn from the floor above and discharged into the shredder room.

It should be noted that the upper housing 40 can be provided withoutbaflles 45. In such instance, the resistance afforded by the materialabove and the frictional resistance of the walls of the upper housing 40will permit the tabs 71 and cutters 72 to work effectively. Furthermore,the baflles 45 need not necessarily be angles as previously described,for plates contoured to conform to the inner surface of upper housing 40and secured thereto may function just as well, if not better, in certaininstances. The size and type of baflles 45 used, or whether or not suchbars are used at all, depends on the nature of material fed into theshredder A.

Since the rotor 52 does not forceably draw the material into contactwith the cutters, as do conventional shredders, the tendency to jam orstall is practically eliminated. Instead the material to be shreddedbears against the upper face of the rotor disk 62 by virtue of its ownweight. This construction permits shredder A to accept a great varietyof loads such as two-by-fours, magazines tied in bundles, wooden crates,wire wound boxes, steel strapping and baling wire, asphalt roofingpaper, and the like, all of which are either awkwardly handled byconventional shredders are not handled by them at all. In reducing thematerial, shredder A consumes much less energy and is, therefore, muchmore efficient. Moreover, the load on the motor is not only less, it isalso relatively constant, thereby eliminating the need for expensiveelectrical circuitry and extending the life of the mechanical parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is possible to provide a modifiedshredder B which is very similar tolthe shredder A. Shredder B includesa base plate 87 having a cylindrical side wall 88 extending upwardlytherefrom, the upper margin of the side wall 88 being provided with acontinuous annular outwardly projecting flange 89 having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced apertures 90. Welded within the centrallydisposed aperture of the base plate 87 and projecting both upwardly anddownwardly therefrom is a sleeve 91 which carries bearings 92, 93 in themanner heretofore described in conjunction with shredder A. Similarly,the side wall 88 is provided with a discharge duct 94, whichcommunicates with a lower annular discharge chamber 95, the latter beingdefined by the inwardly presented faces of the sleeve 91, the side wall88, and the base plate 87.

Bolted to and supported on the flange 89 is an upper cylindrical housing96 having a lower flange 97, the flange 97 being diametrally equivalentto the flange 89 and being further provided with a plurality ofapertures 98 which registers with the apertures of flange 89. Internallythe housing 96 is provided with a plurality of baflles 99.

Interposed between the flanges 89, 97 around the periphery thereof are aplurality of lower arcuate shredder segments 100 which are in endwiseabutment with one another. Shredder segments 100 have substantialthickness to lend rigidity thereto and are each provided with at leasttwo apertures 101 which register with corresponding apertures 90, 98 inthe flanges 89, 97, respectively. Fitted within the apertures 90, 101,98 are bolts 102 which rigidly fasten the upper housing 96 and lowershredder segments 100 to the cylindrical side wall 88 whereby to form aunitary structure. Shredder segments 100 integrally include inwardlyprojecting shredder fingers 103 which extend into the discharge chamber95 for purposes presently more fully appearing.

Operatively journaled within the bearings 92, 93 is a rotor 104including a rotor disk 105 provided on its upper face with a dispersioncone 106, tabs 107, and cutters 108, and on its under face with sweeperblades 109. Dispersion cone 106 includes a plurality of radiallyextending triangular ribs 110, the upper margins of which are serratedin the provision of teeth 111, all for purposes presently more fullyappearing.

The outer peripheral margin of the rotor disk 105, of course, rotates inclose proximity to the internal cylindrical wall of the upper housing 96and is relieved in the provision of inwardly extending discharge slots112. The underface of rotor disk 105 revolves in close proximity to theupper faces of the fingers 103 of the lower shredder segments 100, thefingers 103 being exposed to the contents of the upper housing 96through the discharge slots 112.

The rotor 104 is powered by an electric motor or other suitable primemover in a manner identical to that heretofore described in conjunctionwith shredder A.

In operation, shredder B provides a finer shred than does shredder A.The material to be shredded is, of course, dumped into the upper housing96 and falls onto the rotor disk 105, whereupon it is shredded by tabs107 and cutters 108 in a manner similar to that previously described inconjunction with shredder A. Additionally, however, the teeth 111 on thedispersion cone 106 act on the material and provide further shredding.The material thus shredded on the upper face of the rotor disk 105 fallsthrough the discharge slots 112 where it is caught between the marginsthereof and the fingers 103, thereby experiencing further shreddingwhich ultimately results in a finer end product. The sweeper blades 109function identically to sweeper blades 74 as heretofore described andpropel the shredded refuse out of the machine through the discharge duct94.

Referring now to FIGS. 1O, 11, and 1 2, it is possible to provide stillanother modified shredder C, which functions similar to the shredder A.Shredder C includes a shredder housing 113 having a base plate 114, asleeve 115, an upper housing 116 and a cylindrical side wall 117provided with a discharge duct 118 which communicates with a lowerdischarge chamber 119.

Operatively journaled within the housing 113 is a rotor 120 including alaminated rotor disk 121. Rotor disk 121 includes upper and lowerdiametrally equal disk segments 122, 123, respectively, which are infacewise abutment with one another. The lower disk segment 123 is boltedto a support plate 124 which, in turn, is rigidly fastened to a rotorshaft 125. Near its outer peripheral margin the lower disk segment 123is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced threaded holes126 and interposed therebetween around the peripheral margin of thelower disks segment 123 are a plurality of inwardly extending notches127. Centrally bolted to the upwardly presented face of the lower disksegment 123 is a dispersion cone 128 comprising a circular plate 128provided on its upper face with radially extending triangular ribs 129.

Upper disk segment 122 is centrally relieved in the provision of anaperture 130 which fits snugly around the circular plate 128 ofdispersion cone 128. Near its outer peripheral margin the upper disksegment 122 is provided with arcuate cut-outs 131 which register withthe threaded holes 126 of lower disk segment 123. Fitted through thecut-outs 131 and threaded into the holes 126 are bolts 132 which, whentightened, hold the upper and lower disk segments 122, 123 together andprevent relative rotation therebetween. However, when bolts 132 areloosened, upper segment 122 can move relative to lower segment 123through an are a (FIG. 11) which is equal to the span of arcuatecut-outs 131. It should be noted that the same effect can be achieved byproviding the upper disk 122 with a plurality of closely spacedapertures, the centers of which define an areuate line which correspondsto the center-line of the arcuate cut-outs 131. Upper disk segment 122is similarly relieved along its outer peripheral marginin the provisionof a plurality of notches 133 which are in marginal registration withthe notches 127 when the upper disk segment 122 is shifted to oneextreme of the are a. Notches 127, 133 of lower and upper disk segments122, 123, respectively, in combination form a plurality of dischargeslots 134 which are similar to the discharge slots of shredders A and Bpreviously described herein. By rotating the disk segments 122, 123,relative to one another the size of the discharge slots 134 are varied.Bolted to the upper face disk segment 122 in a series of circular rowsare cutters 135. The cutters 135 in the outermost row are placed so asto precede the arcuate cut-outs 131, reference being made to thedirection of rotation as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11. Thus, thecutters 135 afford protection to the heads of the bolts 132 and preventthem from becoming marred.

Shredder C functions similar to shredder A, but differs therefrom, inthat the size of the shredded end product can be varied. As haspreviously been noted, the disk segments 122, 123 can be rotatedrelative to one another through a limited arc a thereby changing thesize of the discharge slots 134. The size of the pulverized product is,of course, dependent on the size of the discharge slots 134. In otherwords, when the discharge slots are large the shred will be coarse.However, when the size of the discharge slots 134 is reduced, thematerial must remain in the upper housing longer and undergo furthershredding before it is small enough to pass through the slots 134.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form,construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of theshredders may be made and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed without departing from the nature and principle of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame, a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid frame with its axis presented vertically, a circular rotor diskoperatively journaled within said housing for rotation about an axiscoincident to the vertical axis of said housing, the peripheral marginof said disk being adapted to pass within close proximity to the innercylindrical face of said housing, said disk being relieved along itsperipheral margin in the provision of a plurality of discharge slotswhich are adjustable in size, said housing being provided in upwardlyspaced relation to said rotor disk with an inlet port for acceptingmaterial to be shredded, said housing being provided in downwardlyspaced relation to said rotor disk with an outlet port through which theshredded material can be discharged, cutter means disposed on the uppersurface of said rotor disk for engaging the material inserted throughsaid inlet port and for shredding the same, and motive means forrotating said disk.

2. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame, a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid frame with its axis presented vertically, a rotor disk operativelyjournaled within said housing for rotation about an axis coincident tothe vertical axis of said cylindrical housing, a plurality of shredderfingers rigidly secured to said housing in close proximity to theunderface of said rotor disk, said housing being provided in upwardlyspaced relation to said rotor disk with an inlet port for acceptingmaterial to be shredded, said housing being provided in downwardlyspaced relation to said rotor disk with an outlet port through which theshredded material can be discharged, cutter means disposed on the uppersurface of said rotor disk for engaging the material inserted throughsaid inlet port and shredding the same, and motive means for rotatingsaid disk.

3. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame, a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid base frame with its axis presented vertically, a circular rotordisk operatively journaled within said housing for rotation about anaxis coincident to the vertical axis of said housing, the peripheralmargin of said disk being adapted to pass within close proximity to theinner cylindrical face of said housing, said disk being relieved alongits peripheral margin in the provision of a plurality of dischargeslots, a plurality of shredder fingers rigidly secured to the walls ofsaid housing and projecting inwardly in close proximity to the underfaceof said rotor disk, said housing being provided in upwardly spacedrelation to said rotor disk with an inlet port for accepting material tobe shredded, said housing being provided in downwardly spaced relationto said rotor disk with an outlet port through which the shreddedmaterial can be discharged, cutter means disposed on the upper surfaceof said rotor disk for engaging the material inserted through said inletport and shredding the same, and movitive means for rotating said disk.

4. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a frame, a cylindrical housing mounted on saidframe with its axis presented vertically, said housing having an annularbase plate secured to the lower margins thereof, a sleeve coaxiallymounted in said housing and extending upwardly from said base plate, arotor disk operatively journaled in said housing for rotation above andin close proximity to the upper margin of said sleeve about an axiscoincident to the axis of said cylindrical housing, said disk beingrelieved along its peripheral margin in the provision of a plurality ofdischarge slots, the opposed faces of said rotor disk and base plate andsaid sleeve and cylindrical housing defining an annular lower dischargechamber, a plurality of shredder fingers rigidly secured to the walls ofsaid housing and projecting inwardly into said discharge chamber beyondthe inner margins of said slots, said fingers being in close proximityto the underface of said rotor disk, said housing having an inlet portin upwardly spaced relation to said rotor for accepting material to beshredded, said housing having an outlet port in communication with saidchamber through which the shredded material can be removed, cutter meansdisposed on the upper surface of said rotor disk for engaging thematerial and shredding the same, and motive means for rotating saidrotor disk.

5. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame, a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid base frame with its axis presented vertically, a circular rotordisk operatively journaled within said housing for rotation about anaxis coincident to the vertical axis of said housing, the peripheralmargin of said disk being adapted to pass within close proximity to theinner cylindrical face of said housing, said rotor disk having upper andlower disk segments which are provided along their peripheral marginswith inwardly extending upper and lower notches, respectively, saidnotches when in overlying relation to one another defining a pluralityof discharge slots through said rotor disk, said upper disk beingadapted to shift rotatably with respect to said lower disk whereby tochange the size of said discharge slots, said housing being provided inupwardly spaced relation to said rotor disk with an inlet port foraccepting material to be shredded, said housing being provided indownwardly spaced relation to said rotor disk with an outlet portthrough which the shredded material can be discharged, cutter meansdisposed on the upper surface of said rotor disk for engaging thematerial inserted through said inlet port and shredding the same, andmotive means for rotating said disk.

6. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a frame, a cylindrical housing mounted on saidframe with its axis presented vertically, said housing having an annularbase plate secured to the lower margins thereof, a sleeve co axiallymounted in said housing and extending upwardly from said base platewhereby to define a lower annular discharge chamber, a rotor diskoperatively journaled in said housing for rotation above and in closeproximity to the upper margin of said sleeve about an axis coincident tothe axis of said cylindrical housing, said rotor disk having upper andlower disk segments in facewise abutment with one another, said upperdisk segment being provided along its outer peripheral margin with aplurality of inwardly extending upper notches, said lower disk segmentbeing provided along its peripheral margin with a plurality of lowernotches sized and adapted for registration with said upper notcheswhereby to define discharge slots for providing communication with saiddischarge chamber through said rotor disk, said upper segment beingrotatably shiftable with respect to said lower segment whereby to changethe size of said discharge slots, means for locking said upper disksegment to said lower disk segment for preventing relative rotationtherebetween, said housing having an inlet port in upwardly spacedrelation to said rotor for accepting material to be shredded, saidhousing having an outlet port in communication with said chamber throughwhich the shredded material can be removed, cutter means disposed on theupper surface of said rotor disk for engaging the material and shreddingthe same, and motive means for rotating said rotor disk.

7. A shredder for reducing material, such as refuse, to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame, a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid base frame with its axis presented vertically, a circular rotordisk operatively journaled within said housing for rotation about anaxis coincident to the vertical axis of said housing, the peripheralmargin of said disk being adapted to pass within close proximity to theinner cylindrical face of said housing, said rotor disk having upper andlower diametrally equal disk segments in facewise abutment with oneanother, said upper disk segment being shiftably mounted on said lowerdisk segment for rotation through a limited arc thereon, said lowersegment being provided with lower notches, said upper disk segment beingprovided with upper notches adapted for marginal registration with saidlower notches when said upper disk segment is at one extreme of said arewhereby to define discharge slots through said rotor disk, saiddischarge slots being smaller when said upper segment is shifted wtihrespect to said lower segment so that the margins of said notches are nolonger in registration, means for locking said upper disk segment tosaid lower disk segment for preventing relative rotation therebetween,said housing being provided in upwardly spaced relation to said rotordisk with an inlet port for accepting material to be shredded, saidhousing being provided in downwardly spaced relation to said rotor diskwith an outlet port through which the shredded material can bedischarged, cutter means disposed on the upper surface of said rotordisk for engaging the material inserted through said inlet port andshredding the same, and motive means for rotating said disk.

8. A shredder comprising a substantially cylindrical housing, an inlet,an outlet located below the inlet, and a discharge chamber into whichthe outlet opens, a circular rotor disk journaled for rotation withinthe housing above the discharge chamber and about an axis coincident tothe axis of the housing, cutter means on the rotor disk for engaging thematerial inserted through the inlet and shredding the same, and bafiiemembers carried by the housing and projecting inwardly from the innerface thereof above the rotor disk so as to engage the material andrestrain it from being carried around by the rotor, the housing beingprovided with air slots in upwardly spaced relation to the rotor disk.

9. A shredder according to claim 8 wherein the air slots are locatedadjacent to and beyond the baffles, reference being made to thedirection of rotation of the disk.

10. A shredder according to claim 9 wherein the rotor disk forms part ofa rotor journaled for rotation within the housing and sweeper blades arecarried by the rotor for rotation within the discharge chamber so as togenerate an air flow through the housing and air slots and to propelshredded refuse out of the housing through the outlet.

11. A shredder for reducing material such as refuse to shredded bits,said shredder comprising a base frame; a cylindrical housing mounted onsaid base frame with its axis presented vertically; a circular rotordisk operatively journaled within said housing for rotation about anaxis coincident to the vertical axis of said housing, the peripheralmargin of said disk being adapted to pass within close proximity to theinner cylindrical face of said housing; a dispersion cone mountedcentrally on said disk for directing such material as may fall thereonoutwardly, said dispersion cone including a plurality of radiallyprojecting ribs which are serrated in the provision of upwardlyprojecting teeth for further shredding of said material; said housingbeing provided in upwardly spaced relation to said rotor disk with aninlet port for accepting material to be shredded, and being provided indownwardly spaced relation to said rotor disk with an outlet portthrough which the shredded material can be discharged; cutter meansdisposed on the upper surface of said rotor disk for engaging thematerial inserted through said inlet port and shredding the same; andmotive means for rotating said disk.

12. A shredder comprising an upstanding housing having an inlet; acircular rotor disk journaled for rotation within said housing belowsaid inlet, said rotor disk having its peripheral edge located in closeproximity to the inner face of the housing; a circular discharge chamberbelow said rotor disk and said inlet; a discharge duct in communicationwith said discharge chamber, said discharge duct having one of its wallstangential to the circular wall of said discharge chamber; cutter meanson the rotor disk for engaging the material inserted through said inletand shredding the same; and sweeper blades carried by said rotor forrotation within said discharge chamber so as to generate an airflowthrough said housing and to propel shredded refuse out of said housingthrough said discharge duct.

13. A shredder comprising an upstanding housing having an inlet; acircular rotor disk journalled for rotation within said housing belowsaid inlet, said rotor disk having its peripheral edge located in closeproximity to the inner face of said housing; a discharge chamber belowsaid rotor disk and said inlet; a discharge duct in communication withsaid discharge chamber; cutter means on the rotor disk for engaging thematerial inserted through said inlet and shredding the same; and sweeperblades carried by said rotor for rotation within said discharge chamberso as to generate an airflow through said housing and to propel shreddedrefuse out of said housing through said discharge duct; said dischargeduct being provided with a vane which projects inwardly into saiddischarge chamber between the upper margins of said sweeper blades andthe undersurface of said rotor disk to aid in directing refuse materialtoward said discharge duct.

14. A shredder comprising an upstanding housing of circularcross-section having an inlet, an outlet located below said inlet, and adischarge chamber into which said outlet opens; a rotor including arotor disk journaled for rotation within said housing above saiddischarge chamber and about an axis coincident to the axis of saidhousing; cutter means on said rotor disk for engaging the materialinserted through said inlet and shredding the same; and sweeper bladescarried by said rotor for rotation within said discharge chamber togenerate airflow through said housing and propel shredded refuse out ofsaid housing through said outlet; said sweeper blades being located indownwardly spaced relation from the underside of said rotor disk andbeing positioned adjacent the bottom of said discharge chamber.

15. A shredder comprising an upstanding housing having an inlet, anoutlet located below said inlet, and a discharge chamber into which saidoutlet opens; a circular rotor disk journaled for rotation within saidhousing above said discharge chamber and having its peripheral edgelocated in close proximity to the inner face of said housing; said diskbeing provided with discharge notches which extend inwardly from itsperipheral edge so as to permit the shredded material to pass beyondsaid rotor and into said discharge chamber; a dispersion cone centrallymounted on the upper surface of said disk for directing such material asmay fall thereon outwardly; cutter means disposed on the upper surfaceof said rotor disk in outwardly spaced relation from said dispersioncone; and battle members carried by said housing and projecting inwardlyfrom the inner face thereof above said rotor disk, the outermost of saidcutter means passing beneath and within close proximity to the bottommargins of said baflles thereby shredding materials which pass betweensaid cutter means an dsaid bottom margins of said baflies.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,l99 9/1958 Holzer 24183 X2,947,486 8/1960 Higer 24183 X 2,995,310 8/1961 Barter 24l83 X 3,012,42212/1961 Zimmerer 24146.1 X 3,083,922 4/1963 Enright et a1. 24146.1 X2,138,716 11/1938 Truitt 241-278 X 3,014,671 12/1961 Thompson.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 24l46, 278

